This report asserts that welfare reform has been very successful in reducing child poverty. For a quarter-century prior to reform, black child poverty and poverty among single mothers remained virtually constant. Six years after reform, poverty among both groups dropped rapidly, reaching the lowest levels in U.S. history. Welfare rolls have…

Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III), conducted in 1988-94, were used to compare the nutrition and health characteristics of the Nation's school-age children--boys and girls ages 5-18. Three groups of children were compared based on household income: income at or below 130 percent of poverty (lowest…

In 2001, the Tennessee Department of Education identified underperforming schools from across the state as Corrective Action schools. Corrective Action schools are among those that failed to meet federal and state guidelines for adequate yearly progress (AYP). The present study was conducted to examine the key features of 9 Corrective Action…

To help educators quickly grasp demographic information and social and economic issues facing migrant farmworkers, this digest summarizes several recent federal reports. These reports are the National Agricultural Workers Survey, conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor in 1997-98; Current Population Survey data, from the Census Bureau; and the…

Student achievement tests consistently show that certain groups of children score far below children in other groups. The data document a strong association between poverty and students' academic success. The achievement gap begins early in children's lives as the result of physical, social, and emotional deprivations. California is attempting to…

This report examines what share of the current level of child poverty in the United States can be attributed to the growth of single parenthood since the 1960s, focusing on what the child poverty rate would be today if single parent families had remained at the levels that existed before the beginning of the war on poverty. Researchers simulated…

This paper reviews historical events concerning Memphis City Schools' educational attainments and reports research on changes in schools and in this high poverty district over time. In 1992, the new superintendent focused on improving student achievement and initiated site-based management. Critical partnerships were formed, and in 1995, New…

This study examined Title I funding allocations for school years 1999-2002 and actual allocations received by school districts, interviewing state Title I directors, surveying school district administrators nationwide, and interviewing representatives from relevant federal and national organizations. Title I funds were generally targeted based on…

New studies from the 1990s have strengthened an already notable consensus on school size: smaller is better. This policy brief outlines research findings on why size makes a difference, how small is small enough, effective approaches to downsizing, and key barriers. No agreement exists at present on optimal school size, but research suggests a…

This study of the 1989 Massachusetts' School Anti-Drug law reviewed 443 drug dealing cases in three cities. After selecting cities and drug dealing cases, researchers reviewed District Attorney case files and extracted selected data items (primarily from police reports). They mapped incident locations, schools, and parks in the cities; computed…

This report describes children in the U.S. Virgin Islands, using 2000 U.S. Census data. Between 1990-2000 the number of children in the U.S. Virgin Islands decreased 3 percent, mainly due to declining birth rates. While the U.S. economy grew at a record pace in the 1990s, contributing to the lowest child poverty rate in 20 years, economic…

This paper examines whether teacher salary policies in the Americas can contribute to sustainable development and improve social conditions among at-risk populations. Many countries have invested in specific interventions. Chile worked to boost learning at low-performing schools. Argentina invested in new facilities to provide poor, rural schools…

The phenomenon of educational resilience in at-risk students involves complex questions and answers. Seven people were interviewed whose lives are chronicled in the context of surviving and achieving despite significant barriers to success in life. They encountered common hindrances arising from poverty, racial and ethnic identity, isolation,…

U.S.-born children of immigrants may be less likely to receive some social services than are children of native-born immigrants, if foreign-born parents who are themselves ineligible are less likely to apply on their children's behalf. Researchers used retrospective data from a sample of about 2,400 low-income, predominantly Hispanic households in…

In May 2000, a conference on the rural dimensions of welfare reform and food assistance policy brought together researchers, welfare policy experts, and rural scholars. This issue brief summarizes some major findings of the conference and suggests future policy options to better address the differing needs of rural and urban families. Between 1994…